Wow, he must have blown all his money and burnt all his bridges. Unlike say, Lashley and Lesnar, Batista is ancient for the sport (41!) and has a bodybuilding background rather than a legit wrestling base. Plus, he was very injury prone to start with.

I just made this prediction last night to my nephew, a huge sports-entertainment wrestling fan. I'm trying to get him to appreciate MMA, so I ran down who I thought would make the switch after Lesner. Batista was my #1 pick. Not for champion potential, but for marketing reasons.

I just made this prediction last night to my nephew, a huge sports-entertainment wrestling fan. I'm trying to get him to appreciate MMA, so I ran down who I thought would make the switch after Lesner. Batista was my #1 pick. Not for champion potential, but for marketing reasons.

Why would they want to market a 41 year old injury prone former pro-wrestler?

His of no benefit to anyone at this stage of his life. 5 years ago maybe, they said the same thing about Kurt Angle. Only difference being that Angle 5 years ago could of ACTUALLY competed in MMA.

Lesnar was the one exception to the, "Pro wrestlers arent real athletes" bullshit arguement. We all know his credentials. We all know Kurt Angle's credentials.

Numerous reports of the supposed signing popped up this morning after TMZ.com issued a story quoting Bautista as having a deal.

Afromowitz declined to comment on anything beyond the denial of a signed deal. But additional sources told Monkey Scrotum offer a contract.

They stressed, though, that no such deal is imminent.

Bautista began on the pro-wrestling circuit in 2000 and joined the WWE in 2002. Although once one of the organization's most marketable stars, he cut ties with the WWE in May.

He could join UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and Strikeforce heavyweight Bobby Lashley as WWE vets who eventually made the move to MMA.

Although slightly smaller than his "billed" wrestling height of 6-foot-6 and weight of 290 pounds, Bautista would compete in MMA's heavyweight division. If the wrestler does sign with the California-based promotion, a bout with NFL veteran Herschel Walker, who made his MMA debut with Stikeforce early this year, could be a possibility given its marketability and both fighters' limited cage experience."

A media-friendly can for Lashley. "THIS TIME IT'S REAL!" or something like that as an event tagline. Lashley would break Batista in half in a shoot and then pro wrestling, which still competes with MMA for an audience (really!) would have its suspension of disbelief with regards to its bodybuilder champions further damaged.